Washington Area Bike Forum - General Discussionhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/
enWed, 19 Dec 2018 10:15:12 GMTvBulletin60http://bikearlingtonforum.com/images/misc/rss.pngWashington Area Bike Forum - General Discussionhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/
Proteus Bicycles Movedhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13998-Proteus-Bicycles-Moved&goto=newpost
Tue, 18 Dec 2018 18:07:12 GMTIn case you hadn't heard, Proteus Bicycles moved. They're still in the same neighborhood in College Park, but moved to the shopping center where REI used to be (Mom's Organic Market moved over into REI's former location, and Proteus moved into MOM's former space).

I had a chance to stop by last night and the new space looks fantastic.

https://www.proteusbicycles.com
]]>General Discussiondbehrendhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13998-Proteus-Bicycles-MovedGreat opinion piece in NYT – The Pedestrian Strikes Backhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13996-Great-opinion-piece-in-NYT-–-The-Pedestrian-Strikes-Back&goto=newpost
Tue, 18 Dec 2018 14:39:17 GMThttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/opinion/sunday/cars-pedestrians-cities.html
This article is a couple of days old so my apologies if it’s...https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/o...ns-cities.html

This article is a couple of days old so my apologies if it’s already been posted. It reflects upon efforts by cities around the world to take back the streets for pedestrians (and bicycle riders). Some passages that resonate for me:
(1) the sense of entitlement of drivers…
“Yes, car owners are furious. That’s because they have mistaken their century-long domination over pedestrians for a right rather than a privilege.”
(2) city planners’ reliance on “Level of Service” (LOS) design models focused on keeping motor-vehicle traffic moving. This issue comes up regularly in our meetings with traffic planners in Arlington.
“Hence improvements for other modes (walking, cycling, transit) that might increase vehicle delay are characterized as LOS impediments, [Elizabeth Macdonald] and her co-authors write in The Journal of Urban Design. The idea of pedestrians as ‘impediments’ is of course perverse…”
(3) the costs of driving are borne by all of us…the enormous output of small-particle pollutants that penetrate deep into our lungs, the space issue … why can car owners take up large parcels of urban land for parking-- often for free? This is especially absurd in places like Brooklyn where rents are so high. And all this space devoted to driving and parking leaves little for trees, aside from a miniature shrub here and there.
“Urban walking has thus deteriorated from a civilized pleasure to an overheated, unshaded, traffic-harried race to a destination. It’s like what the art historian Vincent Scully once said about the demolition of the old Penn Station and its replacement by the commuter hell squeezed beneath Madison Square Garden: ‘One entered the city like a god; now one scuttles in like a rat.’”
]]>General Discussionhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13996-Great-opinion-piece-in-NYT-–-The-Pedestrian-Strikes-BackCity Reacts to News of Bike Trail Improvementshttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13992-City-Reacts-to-News-of-Bike-Trail-Improvements&goto=newpost
Mon, 17 Dec 2018 22:50:31 GMTBike trail improvements good! Increased enforcement actions against cyclists bad! Wait? No? WTF?
...Bike trail improvements good! Increased enforcement actions against cyclists bad! Wait? No? WTF?

"“Countless accidents occur every day because of our poor cycling infrastructure, reckless motorists, and many other factors within our control, but luckily Central L.A. will soon have miles of road fully dedicated to letting riders regain consciousness from these collisions.'"
]]>General Discussionhuskerdonthttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13958-The-Onion-Understands-Door-Zone-Bike-LanesTime to glue a wig to my helmet?http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13952-Time-to-glue-a-wig-to-my-helmet&goto=newpost
Thu, 06 Dec 2018 17:31:19 GMTbicycling.com
Drivers Give Riders With Helmets Less Space
By ​Selene Yeager
5-7 minutes
Single black male in his 30s cycling past car with helmet

Getty ImagesNicolasMcComber

Maybe it’s because you look more vulnerable with an exposed noggin. Or perhaps you appear more robotic beneath a helmet and glasses.

Whatever the reason, the gear you choose on the bike can affect how the drivers on the road treat you: A recently published paper in Accident Analysis & Prevention shows that motorists drive closer to riders wearing helmets, and give wider berth to those pedaling without head protection.

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This finding is just the latest on a complex and contested topic. In the most recent paper, researchers revisited previously published data from a similar driver behavior study published in 2007. Then, another group of researchers rebutted that in 2013. And now, the original findings are being reaffirmed. (Yes, researchers debate the relative risks and merits of helmet use as much as cyclists themselves.)

In the original study British psychologist Ian Walker, D.Phil., conducted his own unique experiment, riding a bicycle outfitted with a concealed video camera and ultrasonic sensor. He rode the same stretches of road with and without a helmet, and with and without a wig to make him look like a woman. Over the course of the study, he racked up 2,355 observations over 200 miles of riding.

His findings: Cars consistently passed closer to him when he was wearing a helmet than when his head was bare, and drivers gave him the most room when they thought he was a woman.

Six years later, a pair of researchers from the University of New South Wales re-analyzed Walker’s data and concluded that “bicycle helmet wearing is not associated with close motor vehicle passing.”

Their argument was that the average passing distances in Walker’s study were greater than one meter, or just over three feet—a distance that by many laws and general safety recommendations does not constitute a “close pass.” (Though it’s worth noting that some states have pushed for 4-feet passing laws, because more room is better.)

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Here’s the rub on that rebuttal: Walker never sought to define “close” in his original study. His point was simply cars give you less room—passing, on average, about 3.5 inches closer—when you’re wearing a helmet, perhaps because they see you as less vulnerable. And whenever cars come closer, the risk of collisions increases.

The new paper from Walker also re-affirms that wearing a helmet was indeed associated with more “close” passes when you take into consideration that in some places, the law dictates more than one meter of room.
Cruiser Helmets for Every Personality

What’s the take-home message here? In Walker’s world, it’s that we should reconsider helmets as a panacea for health protection.

“If the sight of a helmet encourages motorists to encroach up to, say, the one-meter point and no closer, this would still be a serious problem if such close passes discouraged people from bicycling,” he concluded in his most recent paper. “The number of premature deaths from physical inactivity outweighs the number of deaths from bicycling collisions by several orders of magnitude.”

[Find 52 weeks of tips and motivation, with space to fill in your mileage and favorite routes, with the Bicycling Training Journal.]

Is this the final word? Not by a long shot. But it’s another important part of a conversation about a complex topic. Helmets are mandatory in races where the chances of going over your bars and landing head first are elevated given the group dynamics, speed, and level of risk taking.

Should they be mandatory when you’re commuting or tooling through town headed to the library, where your odds of such a mishap are considerably lower—though, according to this study, could be slightly elevated by cars coming too close? That’s a debate that’s likely to continue for many years to come.
​Selene Yeager “The Fit Chick” Selene Yeager is a top-selling professional health and fitness writer who lives what she writes as a NASM certified personal trainer, USA Cycling certified coach, pro licensed mountain bike racer, and All-American Ironman triathlete.
]]>General DiscussionVikingMarinerhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13952-Time-to-glue-a-wig-to-my-helmethttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13951-Judge-bars-Performance-from-promoting-sales-as-Store-Closing-events&goto=newpost
Thu, 06 Dec 2018 16:45:06 GMTFYI.

DURHAM, N.C. (BRAIN) — A U.S. bankruptcy judge has ruled that a liquidator company may not promote sales at some Performance Bicycle locations as "Store Closing," "Going Out of Business," "Liquidation Sale," "Bankruptcy Sale" or similarly themed sale events. While the sales may continue, those kinds of signs are not allowed.

The ruling by Judge Benjamin A. Kahn applies to the 62 additional stores where Gordon Brothers Retail Partners began operating sales on Saturday. The company also has been operating sales at the 40 other Performance locations since about Nov. 16, when Performance's parent company, Advanced Sports Enterprises, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Kahn said Gordon Brothers and ASE are permitted to promote the sales as "Holiday Sale," "Inventory Clearance Sale" or "Christmas Sales."

ASE's CEO has told BRAIN that none of the sales should be seen as a direct indication that specific stores will close, although he expects that many locations ultimately will shut down.

"Currently, this is more about inventory liquidation rather than store closure," Pat Cunnane said in an email to BRAIN. "Whether a store is ultimately closed is a function of concessions that we may obtain from landlords and the marketplace of potential bidders. This process will enable us to determine which stores are the most valuable to the business."

Kahn also barred Gordon Brothers from supplementing the inventory at the Performance stores with additional merchandise of its own. And he clarified how Gordon Brothers and store employees should deal with customers looking to return items they bought before the Nov. 16 filing, or gift certificates purchased before that date.

He said Gordon Brothers must accept gift certificates and gift cards issued before the filing and must accept returns of products bought before the filing, under the same policies in effect when the item was purchased, as long as the customer is not repurchasing the same item to take advantage of the new discounts.

Kahn said that all sales made after the bankruptcy filing are considered "as is," but noted that the stores must comply with state and federal laws that require the stores to accept returns of any goods purchased during the sales that "contain a defect which the lay consumer could not reasonably determine was defective by visual inspection prior to purchase for a full refund, provided that the consumer must return the merchandise within seven days of purchase, the consumer must provide a receipt, and the asserted defect must in fact be a 'latent' defect."

He said stores should post signs near the cash register stating that "Refunds may only be for merchandise having a latent defect, when returned within 7 days of purchase."

Kahn's interim order on Monday will be in place at least until another hearing is held on Dec. 6.
]]>General DiscussionVikingMarinerhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13951-Judge-bars-Performance-from-promoting-sales-as-Store-Closing-eventsFriends of the Mt. Vernon Trail Activities Feedbackhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13947-Friends-of-the-Mt-Vernon-Trail-Activities-Feedback&goto=newpost
Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:27:05 GMTHey everyone. You might be aware that several members of the forum have formed a Friends of the Mt. Vernon Trail group. We are working to make the...Hey everyone. You might be aware that several members of the forum have formed a Friends of the Mt. Vernon Trail group. We are working to make the trail safer and better for all trail users.

At our last meeting, we did some brainstorming on activities that we can do in the next 3-6 months. We would love if you would help provide some feedback on some activities you'd like to see occur on the trail. If you'd like to provide feedback, please do so at the Google Form here. If you're giving feedback, I'd appreciate if you could do it by noon on Saturday so that we can review all of the feedback at our next meeting on Sunday.

If you love the Mt. Vernon Trail as much as we do and want to join as an organizing member, you are welcome to attend our next meeting on Sunday, December 9th from 10 a.m. to noon at the Whole Foods in Pentagon City. We meet in dining area upstairs. The stairs are located near the bar.

If you're interested in following the activities of the Friends of the Mt. Vernon Trail you can find us on the internet at:
Web: mountvernontrail.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mtvernonfriends
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MountVernonTrailFriends/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtvernontrailfriends/
]]>General DiscussionJuddhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13947-Friends-of-the-Mt-Vernon-Trail-Activities-Feedbackhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13944-Organic-Transit-Electric-Tricycle-Daily-Commuter-on-the-W-amp-OD&goto=newpost
Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:15:00 GMTIs it allowed? Asking for a friend. :0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmWZSLrgKSwIs it allowed? Asking for a friend. :0)

]]>General DiscussionVikingMarinerhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13944-Organic-Transit-Electric-Tricycle-Daily-Commuter-on-the-W-amp-ODCyclist on Van Dorn Street on my AM ride to workhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13943-Cyclist-on-Van-Dorn-Street-on-my-AM-ride-to-work&goto=newpost
Tue, 04 Dec 2018 19:53:51 GMTWears a White Kask Mojito, all black, no blinkies, no reflective gear. Rides a RB with clip on aero bars. He makes a R on Eisenhower Ave. Anybody...Wears a White Kask Mojito, all black, no blinkies, no reflective gear. Rides a RB with clip on aero bars. He makes a R on Eisenhower Ave. Anybody know this cyclist?
]]>General Discussionaldentehttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13943-Cyclist-on-Van-Dorn-Street-on-my-AM-ride-to-workPaul Sherwenhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13942-Paul-Sherwen&goto=newpost
Mon, 03 Dec 2018 22:03:30 GMTI didn't see this posted elsewhere, but Paul Sherwen, one of the classic announcers for cycling races, has past on. Sympathy to his family - this truly upsetting.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/paul...-dies-aged-62/
]]>General DiscussionMFChttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13942-Paul-Sherwenisaac crossmanhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13934-isaac-crossman&goto=newpost
Fri, 30 Nov 2018 01:03:50 GMTThe pedestrian bridge that will cross over Wash blvd in Falls Church may route the trail through Isaac Crossman park but I've been told by walkers no bicycles are allowed.
discuss.
]]>General DiscussionEl Swifthttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13934-isaac-crossmanhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13928-Take-Action-Fix-Fairfax-Drive-10th-St-N-A-New-Potomac-River-Crossing-amp-Parking&goto=newpost
Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:35:09 GMTGive Arlington Feedback on how to improve Fairfax Drive and 10th St North, attending a meeting on the once-in-a-life-time opportunity for a bike/ped...Give Arlington Feedback on how to improve Fairfax Drive and 10th St North, attending a meeting on the once-in-a-life-time opportunity for a bike/ped connection across a rebuilt Long Bridge, and express an unpopular opinion on residential parking.

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]]>General Discussionchris_shttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13928-Take-Action-Fix-Fairfax-Drive-10th-St-N-A-New-Potomac-River-Crossing-amp-ParkingIronyhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13919-Irony&goto=newpost
Sun, 25 Nov 2018 17:39:27 GMTMy friend Eric D. snapped this photo this morning while out delivering for a food bank. Near S. George Mason and 50. I found the sign ironic... no...My friend Eric D. snapped this photo this morning while out delivering for a food bank. Near S. George Mason and 50. I found the sign ironic... no wonder there are so many cyclists who are afraid to use the streets, bike lane or no. This took skilz, because he used more than the full lane, and parked on end for easy unpacking of his trunk area. Be careful out there people.

Attached Images

]]>General DiscussionJorgeGortexhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13919-IronyI’m getting something for Christmas...http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13914-I’m-getting-something-for-Christmas&goto=newpost
Fri, 23 Nov 2018 16:30:14 GMTI’ve asked Santa for the below. I highlighted that it is $400 off on Cyber Monday.
Image:...I’ve asked Santa for the below. I highlighted that it is $400 off on Cyber Monday.

What bikey things are on your list this year?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
]]>General DiscussionJuddhttp://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?13914-I’m-getting-something-for-Christmas